Basic Details
Word: Vexation
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: The feeling of being annoyed or worried, or something that causes that feeling.
Synonyms: annoyance, irritation, frustration, exasperation
Antonyms: pleasure, delight, contentment
How to Spell Vexation
Syllables: vex - a - tion
Tricky part: The x does the work of ks, so there is no c or k. Students write vecksation, or vexasion with an s in place of the t.
Watch out for: vexasion, vecksation, vexsation
Memory tip: Vex + ation, the way relax + ation gives relaxation. A traffic jam turns relaxation into vexation.
Usage Examples
Example 1: To Papa's vexation, the electricity went off just as the match reached the last over.
Example 2: She hid her vexation and smiled politely at the rude customer.
Example 3: The leaking tap was a daily vexation for the whole family.
Fun Fact
Vex comes from the Latin vexare, to shake or harass. English also has the phrase 'a vexed question', meaning one that people have argued over for a long time.
Practise the CREST Way
Mingle-Mangle
Unjumble the letters in the sentence and choose the word they make:
Much to her taevionx, the bus pulled away just as she reached the stop with her heavy bags.
a) vexation
b) evacuation
c) taxation
d) vacation
Show answer
a) vexation. Only vexation has both a v and an x; taxation has no v, vacation no x, and evacuation needs a u and a c.
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word vexation as used in the sentence:
The constant honking outside the exam centre caused great vexation to the students inside.
a) relief
b) interest
c) annoyance
d) pleasure
Show answer
c) annoyance. Noise during an exam irritates the students, so annoyance is the word that matches.
Word Cookie
Fill in the missing letters to complete the word:
ve_at_on
a) x, e
b) s, i
c) x, i
d) c, i
Show answer
c) x, i. Vex is spelt with an x, and the ending is the -tion of nation.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which of these would cause vexation?
a) finding a lost coin
b) winning a quiz prize
c) eating mangoes in May
d) losing your house keys
Show answer
d) losing your house keys
2. Which word is closest to the opposite of vexation?
a) irritation
b) worry
c) contentment
d) anger
Show answer
c) contentment
